Where to find font settings on your iPhone

You can change the font on your iPhone in two places: the system-wide font size through accessibility settings, and the font style for specific apps through their individual settings. Apple does not offer a master control to change the typeface across all built-in apps at once, but you can adjust how large text appears everywhere, and many third-party apps let you pick their own fonts.

The quickest route is Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size, where you can make text larger or smaller across Mail, Messages, Notes, and most other built-in apps. This does not change the actual typeface — it only changes the size. If you want to change the typeface itself (the shape of the letters), you will need to go into individual apps or use accessibility features designed for people with dyslexia or vision differences.

Key Takeaways

  • System-wide text size is controlled through Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size, and affects most built-in apps instantly.
  • Apple's built-in apps do not let you change the typeface itself — only the size — but third-party apps like Notes alternatives often do.
  • The Dyslexia-friendly font OpenDyslexic and the sans-serif font San Francisco can be enabled through Accessibility settings for reading comfort.
  • Individual apps like Chrome, Gmail, and Kindle have their own font controls in their settings menus, separate from the system setting.

Changing text size across all apps

Open Settings and tap Accessibility. Then tap Display & Text Size. You will see a slider labeled Text Size at the bottom of the screen. Drag it to the right to make text larger, or to the left to make it smaller. This change takes effect immediately in Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, and most other Apple apps.

If you want text even larger than the slider allows, turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes just above the slider. This unlocks even bigger sizes, though not all apps respond to this setting. You can also turn on Bold Text in the same menu, which makes text heavier and easier to read without changing the size.

Using accessibility fonts for easier reading

Apple offers two special typefaces designed to be easier to read: San Francisco (the standard system font, now optimized for readability) and OpenDyslexic (a font designed for people with dyslexia). To use OpenDyslexic, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes. Then scroll down and tap Font. Choose OpenDyslexic from the list.

OpenDyslexic has thicker bottoms on letters and more spacing between characters, which many people find easier to read. San Francisco is already the default, but you can confirm it is selected in the same Font menu. These fonts apply to system text in Settings, Mail, Messages, and other built-in apps, though some third-party apps may not respect this setting.

Changing fonts in individual apps

Many apps let you set their own font independent of the system setting. Open the app and look for Settings or Preferences, usually found by tapping a gear icon or your profile picture. Search for "Font" or "Text" in that menu. Chrome, Gmail, Kindle, Medium, and most reading apps have their own font controls.

In Kindle, for example, open a book, tap the screen, and tap the font icon (usually marked "Aa"). You can then choose from several typefaces and adjust the size. In Chrome, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, and look for Font Size. These app-level controls override the system setting for that app only.

Making text bold or high-contrast

If changing the font size alone is not enough, you can make text bolder or add high contrast to make it stand out more. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and turn on Bold Text. This makes all system text thicker and heavier, which helps if you have low vision or find thin text hard to read.

For even more contrast, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and turn on Increase Contrast. This darkens text and adds borders around buttons and controls. You can also turn on Reduce Transparency in the same menu, which removes the frosted-glass effect from menus and makes text pop against the background.

Third-party apps with more font options

If you want more control over typefaces than Apple's built-in apps offer, consider using third-party alternatives. Notes alternatives like Notability and GoodNotes let you choose from dozens of fonts. Reading apps like Libby, Scribd, and Wattpad have extensive font menus. Email apps like Spark and Gmail (the app, not the web version) often give you more text customization than the built-in Mail app.

These apps store their font settings in their own preferences, so changing the system font size will not affect them unless you also adjust their individual settings. Check each app's settings menu for a Font, Text, or Display option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the font on my home screen or lock screen?

No. The typeface on your home screen, lock screen, and app names is fixed and cannot be changed. You can only change the size of text in Settings, Mail, Messages, and similar apps. The lock screen and home screen always use San Francisco.

Does changing the system font size affect all apps?

Most built-in Apple apps respond to the system text size setting, but not all third-party apps do. Apps like Chrome, Kindle, and Spotify have their own font controls and may ignore the system setting. Check each app's settings to see if it has its own font menu.

What is the difference between text size and typeface?

Text size is how large the letters are (measured in points). Typeface is the shape of the letters themselves — for example, whether they are serif or sans-serif, thick or thin. Apple lets you change size system-wide, but typeface only through accessibility fonts or individual apps.

Will OpenDyslexic work in every app?

No. OpenDyslexic works in system text and built-in Apple apps, but many third-party apps do not support it. You will need to check each app's settings to see if it offers its own dyslexia-friendly font option.

Can I undo changes to the font size?

Yes. Go back to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and drag the Text Size slider back to the middle, or turn off any toggles you turned on. There is no "reset" button, but moving the slider to the center returns text to the default size.